Welcome to
the Young Leaders Journey

Petr Banda currently serves as the Czech UN Youth Delegate, focusing on inclusive participation and democratic trust. His work centers on Romani rights, minority empowerment, combating antigypsyism, and bridging the gap between marginalized youth and democratic institutions at both local and international levels. He leads a civic engagement initiative dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and ensuring they are included in broader policy discussions.

Adolfo Vidal is a Mexican biotechnologist and entrepreneur, and the CEO and co-founder of CeluNova. He began his journey at 20, after a failed bioplastic experiment led him to discover the potential of pineapple waste as a high-value biomaterial. He holds a degree in Biotechnology Engineering and has been recognized as Mexico's top student entrepreneur and a TEDx speaker. At CeluNova, he and his team transform pineapple leaves into biodegradable fibers for the absorbent core of diapers, proving that circular, regenerative materials can scale and compete with conventional solutions.

Ihssene Brahimi is a master's student at ETS Montreal specializing in 3D freehand sensorless ultrasound reconstruction. She was part of the IMAGINE team at the Montreal Neurological Institute, where she contributed to the development of a 0.05T MRI scanner designed for low- and middle-income countries. Alongside her research, she is deeply invested in science education and mentorship, having supported students locally and internationally in AI and science. She is motivated by the challenge of building technologies that remain useful and impactful even when resources are limited.

Denise Ayebare is a Ugandan climate activist and lawyer-in-training who juggles many pursuits at once. She cares deeply about refugees, women, youth, and the climate crisis — the reality she grew up seeing, of people doing everything right and still being left behind. That is why she started BetterLife International: to create small, practical solutions that genuinely help people. She is passionate about creating opportunities for young people, building climate-smart livelihoods, and using her voice wherever it can make a difference. At heart, she believes change doesn't start with perfect systems — it starts with imperfect people who care enough to try.

Foday David Kamara is a dedicated social entrepreneur and educator focused on transforming educational access for youth in remote communities in Liberia. He co-founded the Central Leadership Academy in Liberia — an inclusive, community-driven school model designed to reach children in regions historically overlooked by traditional educational systems. His goal is to establish a sustainable, scalable blueprint for reimagining education across underserved regions. His recognition as a finalist for the Moonshot Awards underscores his commitment to context-specific solutions that bridge opportunity gaps.

Vivian Arinaitwe is a Ugandan Biomedical Engineering graduate from Makerere University and the co-founder and CEO of Che Innovations Uganda Ltd. Her work sits at the intersection of engineering, public health, and entrepreneurship — turning real problems in hospitals into practical, affordable medical technologies. She leads the development of NeoNest, a low-cost, eco-friendly neonatal transport warmer for low-resource settings. She is passionate about global health equity, frugal innovation, and building strong local manufacturing pathways so that “made in Uganda” medical devices can meet real clinical needs.

Puneet Singh Singhal grew up in a low-income settlement in Delhi, India, where life was shaped by poverty, pollution, and limited opportunities. He lives with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and a stammer, and spent much of his youth caring for his chronically ill mother. Today he works at the intersection of disability inclusion, climate justice, and storytelling, amplifying voices often missing from global conversations. Through initiatives such as Green Disability, he bridges lived experience with policy discussions, helping ensure solutions to climate and development challenges are more humane, inclusive, and grounded in real lives.

Stanley Somba is a 26-year-old African youth passionate about agriculture, automotive, and real estate. He has a background in data analytics and a strong interest in how technology and AI can be integrated into agriculture, particularly beekeeping. He enjoys teaching and spends most of his time with people.

Melich Ngigi is an Architectural Designer and the founder of Green Sustainable Shelter (GSS), a construction company based in Kenya focused on sustainable and affordable solutions to the country's housing crisis. He has worked on projects providing solutions in slums and informal settlements, developing alternatives to conventional building practices that degrade the environment. He also has strong interests in community leadership, believing that the right policies are key to equally distributed development — proving that every budget can build decent shelter.

Karimot Odebode is a lawyer, education advocate, and poet from Ibadan, Nigeria. She is the founder and project lead at the Black Girl's Dream Initiative, a youth-led organisation transforming education and gender equality in Nigeria. Karimot is the author of the poetry collection ‘a woman has many names’ and uses her poetry to foster sustainable development. She is passionate about a world where girls are educated and empowered to think critically, lead confidently, and shape the social, economic, and political futures of their communities.

Ayaz Karimov is the Head of Learning & Products at the Swiss Cyber Institute, where his team designs science-based learning experiences and he leads the institute's academic research efforts. He holds a PhD in Information Technology with a specialization in Educational Technology, and is also a Senior Researcher in the Human and Machine Based Learning Research Group at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. He is driven by bringing rigorous scientific methods to how learner progress is tracked, and making the experience more engaging through gamification. Outside work, sport is where he recharges — volleyball, tennis, rowing, and archery.

Gu Hong Min is a research fellow at Hashed Open Research, an emerging-technology think tank in Seoul, South Korea, where he works at the intersection of AI, blockchain, and public policy. He co-leads the 2045 Fellowship, a leadership program connecting young Korean founders and operators directly to policy channels. As AI and frontier technologies redraw where opportunity concentrates globally, he sees policy participation as one of the most underused tools for keeping ambitious talent invested at home. He works on the Ministry of Economy and Finance's Advisory Council and alongside Korea's Chief of Policy.

Paul Tamale is a soil and climate change scientist with a Master's degree in Climate Change from the University of East Anglia, and is currently pursuing an MSc in Soil Science at Makerere University in Uganda. He is especially passionate about nature-based solutions and how they can help build resilient food systems in the face of climate change. He has a soft spot for soil microbiology and the ways tiny organisms transform soil health — a passion that inspired him to start Umuntu Agrobiotics Ltd, a space where science, nature, and purpose come together.

Norah Kimathi stands out as one of Africa's youngest and most impactful innovators driving the Sustainable Development Goals through education, sustainability, and inclusion. With a special focus on women and girls in STEM, her initiatives have directly reached over 500,000 learners across borders. Her relentless energy and commitment to breaking barriers make her one of those rare leaders who never tire of pushing boundaries.

Paul Gwatidzo grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, moving often as a child because of his father's work — by the time he finished primary school he had attended six different schools. He studied Computer Science at the University of Zimbabwe but discovered poetry and filmmaking, and for the first time felt connected to his own voice. That grew into spoken-word film and visual storytelling. Working with The Art of Health, he explores how the creative arts can be used to talk about health and wellbeing, and is passionate about making health education feel human and accessible for young people.

Aanuoluwapo Omoleye is a Deaf Nigerian disability-rights advocate who works to advance inclusion and representation for children, students, and young people with disabilities. She leads the AbleBooks Initiative, where she works on inclusive and representational stories for young African students with disabilities. She is passionate about inclusive leadership and creating opportunities for those who are often left behind.

Nikolas Pippal is a scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of SATALIS, an AI-powered startup using satellite imagery to detect and mitigate urban heat islands. He is passionate about combining machine learning, remote sensing, and sustainability to tackle real-world environmental challenges. Before founding SATALIS, he developed an AI-based system for intraoperative brain tumor detection — a project that strengthened his commitment to using technology for societal good. His goal is to turn advanced research into practical tools that improve both human and planetary health.

Hugo Rojas Muñoz is a bioengineer and the CEO of Humanos 3D, an organization that merges innovation, technology, and social impact to create accessible assistive devices through 3D printing. Over the past six years he has worked in biomechanics and prosthetic design, leading programs that have provided hundreds of devices to people in vulnerable communities. He is passionate about using engineering as a tool for inclusion and driving forward the democratization of assistive technology. He loves cycling, football, rock music, reading, and discovering new food.

Enzo Ferreira Barbosa is 19 years old and from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He comes from a cafuzo (Afro-Indigenous) community and is currently a student at Stanford University, majoring in Data Science & Social Systems. He is especially interested in building interoperability across governmental systems, companies, and NGOs, with a strong focus on social responsibility and creating pathways out of marginalization for historically vulnerable communities. He has conducted a photo-biographical research project on Salvador's historic center and completed research mapping apartheid in Johannesburg. Beyond academics, he DJs and loves blending experimental pop with Brazilian funk.

Enio Ferreira Barbosa is 19 years old and from Salvador, Brazil. He comes from a cafuzo community — an ethnic background shaped by Indigenous and Quilombola heritage — and is studying Computer Science and Science, Technology, and Society at Stanford University on a full-ride scholarship. His interests center on developing more just and inclusive technologies for vulnerable communities, and he is deeply passionate about algorithmic justice, including fairer facial recognition systems, expanding access to video classes in remote areas, and cybersecurity in socioeconomic contexts. Outside academics he loves vocal jazz, samba, and Japanese cinema.

Sanjana Sanghi describes herself as a multi-hyphenate. Her journey into cinema began as a trained Indian classical dancer, spotted on her school campus at 13, leading to a role in the cult-classic film Rockstar. She graduated as a Delhi University Gold Medalist in journalism and mass communication. Over ten years ago she began teaching underprivileged students in India, and has since served as a Youth Advocate for Education by Save The Children, a Hope Empowerer by Teach For India, and a Youth Champion for the UNDP. She leverages the platform her films provide to empower young people and fight for their brightest futures.

Sebastião Mendonça is a Portuguese innovator combining robotics and space-tech to restore ecosystems. He co-founded Trovador, an internationally recognized startup building all-terrain autonomous tree-planting robots, while also developing satellite-based tools for conservation. Beyond the tech, he runs hands-on educational programs for underserved youth.

Dipisha Bhujel is a menstrual-equity activist, climate-justice advocate, and social entrepreneur from Rasuwa, Nepal. Growing up in an Indigenous Himalayan community on the frontline of climate change, she witnessed how environmental degradation and gender inequality disproportionately impact women. She is the co-founder and Chairperson of Sparsa, a women-led social enterprise producing compostable menstrual pads from banana fiber. Over the past eight years she has educated more than 20,000 young people on menstrual health and represented Nepal at platforms such as COP28. Her recognitions include the Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award and The Iris Prize.

Aditya Dave is a Neural Engineering student and Stamps Scholar at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, focused on improving quality of life for patients through engineering and innovation. As the co-founder and COO of Cor, he is developing technology that can transform everyday wearable ECGs into life-saving pre-screening tools for coronary artery disease. He is equally passionate about humanitarian engineering and community — building assistive devices, founding a Film Score Orchestra as a cellist, and directing surgical-education videos for trainees across the world.

Zeaus Koh comes from the tropical city-state of Singapore. He loves biology — from the intertidal pools he wades at dawn to the bacterial pathogens he studies — captivated by how small components work in tandem to create novel properties. His mission is to harness these emergent properties to discover, deliver, and democratize new therapeutics for yet-incurable diseases; most recently he has been developing a novel antibiotic combining bacteriophages and nanoparticles. When not in the lab, he cooks smoky zichar at his family's eatery, pole vaults, photographs lichen, and walks his geriatric dog Mojo.

Titir Nelson Longok is a social entrepreneur from Uganda and the co-founder of Okralink, an agribusiness initiative that works with farmers in rural communities, especially in the Karamoja region. His work focuses on improving market access, food distribution, and practical support for farmers. His upcoming project focuses on circular mushroom production, turning technology and local waste into high-value products such as oyster mushrooms and organic soil fertilizer. He believes smallholder farmers can play a powerful role in strengthening food security given the right tools, training, and market opportunities.

KingDavid Ayo-Loto is a multidisciplinary creative, storyteller, and cultural commentator whose work explores the intersections of language, identity, and human connection. Through spoken word, visual storytelling, and photography, he creates reflective experiences that invite audiences to pause, feel, and reconsider the everyday. His work often blends vulnerability with sharp observation, using poetry, performance, and digital media to explore themes of existence, belonging, anxiety, faith, and the quiet resilience of being human.

Amanyire Benjamin is the founder of Solar Springs Ventures, a youth-led initiative addressing water access and public-health challenges in underserved communities in Uganda. Growing up where access to clean water was limited, he developed solar-powered water purification systems that provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable clean water through pay-as-you-go models. He works with local communities, especially women-led groups, to create ownership and promote hygiene education. His vision is to scale decentralized water systems across rural and peri-urban areas, transforming how communities access clean water while empowering them economically.

Ansiima Casinga is a permaculture and nutrition trainer, community educator, and social-impact leader from Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. She is the founder of FOLONA (For the Love of Nature), a community-based organization focused on regeneration, climate action, women's empowerment, and community learning. Through FOLONA she has led tree planting, soil regeneration, climate education for children, and women's empowerment programs. She believes regeneration is not only about restoring ecosystems but also about restoring dignity, knowledge, creativity, and hope.

Andrea Remes holds a bachelor's degree in South and Southeast Asian Studies and a master's degree in Political Science from Leiden University. She is the co-founder of Erandi Aprende, a social enterprise developing an AI-powered co-pilot that supports educators in leading bilingual, multidisciplinary STEAM projects while connecting students, teachers, and families into inclusive educational ecosystems. Having lived in nine countries across three continents and speaking multiple languages, she is deeply motivated by cultural exchange and global perspectives. She is an avid horse rider and nature enthusiast.

Lauren Altomare is an engineering science student at the University of Toronto, driven by a passion for advancing cancer diagnostics and global healthcare. She has conducted biomedical research at hospitals and institutions across Canada, with a focus on translating clinical insight into real-world solutions. Her interests lie at the intersection of medicine, technology, and entrepreneurship, particularly in early detection and preventative care. She is committed to building communities that address gaps in care, using entrepreneurship to transform research and medicine into scalable solutions for global health challenges.

Diana Virgovičová was born and raised in a small village in Slovakia and is today the founder of the deep-tech company Xatoms, where she and her team use quantum chemistry and AI to discover and customize new sunlight-activated materials that can clean polluted water.

Sebastian Rock is a 19-year-old student from Tallinn, Estonia. He grew up speaking English, Russian, and Estonian, and took an early interest in philosophy. For him one issue is completely black and white: humanitarian crises are an unacceptable failure. Over a year ago he joined Estonia's virtually inactive UN Association, where he founded a series of educational initiatives and grew the NGO's budget from zero to 40,000 euros. He also became the youngest member of his city district council and won a national public-speaking olympiad.

Petr Palatický has always learned best by doing. He studies Innovative Entrepreneurship at Silesian University through the Tiimiakatemia method, and alongside that runs several of his own ventures: a moving service, product flipping, and an AI consultancy he is building for small Czech businesses. An extrovert at heart, he gets energy from conversations and collaborations. One of his proudest achievements is co-creating Rocket Days — a three-day entrepreneurship retreat for 70 people in the Beskydy mountains, built from the ground up.

Kristýna Nevřelová is a management student at VSB-TUO who most enjoys combining business, technology, and working with people. Alongside her studies she is gaining practical experience in AI, automation, and event organisation, and has extensive international experience in which presentations, teamwork, and project work played a key role. She enjoys environments where she can step out of her comfort zone and where ideas are put into practice rather than only discussed theoretically — drawn to projects at the intersection of innovation, business, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Jovia Kisaakye is a social entrepreneur and founder of Ecobed Biotech Brand, where she leads initiatives that transform waste into sustainable solutions for public health, agriculture, and the environment. Growing up in a farming family in Uganda, she witnessed the challenges of food and milk wastage, malaria, and limited market access. Today she leads Ecobed's mission to transform food waste into mosquito-repellent skincare products, fertilizers, and animal feeds. She is committed to mentoring youth, advocating for public health, and building scalable initiatives across Africa.

Adekoyejo Kuye is an engineer and entrepreneur from Nigeria working at the intersection of clean energy, agriculture, and technology. Through KAMIM Technologies and projects such as SoCool and CoolCycle, he has focused on developing solar-powered cold storage, irrigation, and digital tools that help farmers protect their produce, earn more, and connect to better markets. He cares deeply about creating practical solutions that reduce waste and improve livelihoods, and about proving that African-led innovation can shift entire systems.

Hakim Kakooza is a PMI-certified project manager and a Graduate Biodesign Innovation Fellow at Stanford University. He founded MariTest to develop a non-invasive malaria diagnostic; surviving severe malaria on Bussi Island is why he does this work. He leads product, partnerships, and regulatory strategy to turn early prototypes into scalable, sustainable devices, and is passionate about patient-centered design and building teams that deliver real impact. Outside work he loves hiking, karaoke, being kind to people, and is a big dog lover.

Stanley Anigbogu is a Nigerian innovator, storyteller, and social entrepreneur passionate about reimagining how communities access energy and opportunity. He grew up where power outages were normal and creativity had to be built from scarcity. Through his organization LightEd, he turns waste into light, transforming plastic and e-waste into solar-powered solutions that bring clean energy to schools, communities, and refugee camps. His work sits at the intersection of climate, creativity, and community, driven by one belief: every problem is an invitation to build something better.

Eunchan Hwang is a Korean high-school senior based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, passionate about using engineering and AI to improve healthcare access in low-resource communities. He founded 3D CURE, a healthcare initiative that designs low-cost, personalized 3D-printed prosthetics, braces, and casts for underserved communities in Ethiopia, supporting children, war amputees, and families through cost-free or low-cost devices. He is interested in biomedical engineering, medical AI, and global health technology, especially building practical tools that make high-quality healthcare more accessible across Africa.

Eve Yee Leng Ang is an 18-year-old Singaporean working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, healthcare equity, and sustainability. She founded Immunova AI, an open-source precision-oncology platform focused on supporting early treatment planning and reducing unnecessary cancer interventions, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Her interest began at age 12, caring for her mother during her battle with Stage 4 cancer. She is passionate about building more equitable and sustainable cancer care that reflects the realities of the communities it serves.

Maria Šimůnková is an education advocate and economic-research student with a background spanning technology, data science, and public policy. As co-founder and CEO of Nekrachni, she has grown what started as a student project into a Google.org-backed organization improving financial literacy for Gen Z across the Czech Republic. She also spent two years in the Cabinet of the Minister for Education, helping build data-driven foundations for educational policies. Outside of work she loves endurance sports and hiking.

Sandra Rizk is a Lebanese creative and fashion designer working between Rome and Beirut, holding a bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from IED Milano. Her practice sits at the intersection of fashion, visual culture, and research, with a focus on Arab identity and contemporary cultural production. In 2021 she was awarded Biennale Monza for her photojournalism series WHAT IS LYF. She is the founder and Creative Director of SCULPTOR FOUNDATION, a research-driven fashion house and cultural platform, within which she initiated TSHARRAFNA, a documentary and archival project documenting Arab artists across geographies.

Ahmad Rufai Yusuf is a designer-engineer hybrid from Abuja, Nigeria, working at the intersection of AI and healthcare. He studied Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Technologies at Tomorrow University of Applied Sciences in Germany, graduating with distinction, and now builds clinical AI systems where the stakes are highest. He founded MARMAR — which began after his mother was hospitalized from a preventable drug interaction — a clinical decision-support platform now protecting over 30,000 patients across 100+ hospitals in Nigeria. MARMAR won first place in the Meta Llama Impact Accelerator and was a top-three global honoree in the Moonshot Platform Healthcare Award.